Bridle-bit



(No Model.)

J. B. WILLIAMS 81; A. '0. TANNER.

BRIDLBJBIT.

Patented Sept. 6

UNITED STATES PATENT @rrrcn.

JAMES B. WILLIAMS, OF GLASTONBURY, AND ALBERT O. BANNER, OF HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT.

BRIDLE=B!T.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 369,490, dated September 6, 1887.

Application filed May 7, 1887. Eerie-1N0. 237,467.

.Lo all whom, it may concern.-

Be it known that we, James B. WrLLIAMs and ALBERT G.TANNER,of Glastonbury, in the county of Hartford and State of Connecticut, and of Hartford, in the county of Hartford and State of Connecticut, respectively, have invented certain Improvements in Bridle-Bits, of which the following is a specification.

Qur invention relates to a bit controlled by a s1ngle pair of reins and so constructed that it will, under ordinary conditions, operate in the manner of, an ordinary driving-bit, but will, under a more severe strain of the reins, act as a powerful curb-bit adapted to control the most fractious animal.

To this end we provide a curb-bit having reins connected to the ends of the cheek bars or levers, as usual, with two spring-actuated wlnding-dru ms, from which straps are eX- tended to the reins. Ordinarily the straps remain wound on the drums and transmit the strain of the reins directly to the ends of the bit, as in an ordinary drivingbit, the ends of the reins leading to the levers being held meanwhile in a slack condition; but as the strain on the reins increases the straps are drawn from the drums and the reins permitted to straighten and draw directly on the cheek bars or levers, thus causing the bit to be operated after the manner of the common curb-bit.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 represents in perspective a bridle provided with our improved bit in its ordinary operative position. Fig. 2 is a view of the same as it appears when acting as a curb-bit. Fig. 3 is a crosssection on the line m a, showing the construction and arrangement of the windingdrums. Fig. 4 is a vertical section on the line 3/ 3 of Fig. 3.

Referring to the drawings, A represents the bar or bit proper, B the cheek: bars or levers secured to its ends, and G the driving-reins attached to the ends of the cheek-bars, as in the ordinary curbhit. The check-straps and other connections will be applied as usual,and need no further description.

In applying our improvement we secure to each end of the bit a shell or casing, D, con- (No model.)

taining a rotary winding-drum, which in turn incloses a coiled spring, F, by which it is rotated. To each drum we secure one end of a strap, G, which extends outward through an opening in the casing,and is buckled or otherwise secured to the reins at a distance from the end of the latter. lVhen the reins are released, or are used under moderate strain, the straps remain wound upon the'drum, as shown in Fig. 1, and form a direct connection between the reins and the ends of the bit. Under this condition of the parts the reins operate directly on the bit without causing the turning or the curbing action, and the slack ends of the reins remain idle. Vhen, however, it becomes necessary to exercise a more powerful control over the animal, it is only necessary to draw strongly upon the reins, when the straps G, overcoming the springs, will unwind from the drum and permit the ends of the reins to straighten and draw directly on the ends of the cheek-bars, as shown in Fig. 2.

The essence of the invention resides in attaching the straps which connect with the reins to spring-actuated winding-drums; and it is manifest that the details of construction may be variously modified without passing beyond the limits of our invention. \Ve prefer, however, as the most simple and desirable construction, to extend the ends of the bit-bar in the form of journals c to receive the winding-drums and the inner end of the spring, and also to form the inner side of the inclosing shell or case integral with the bit, as shown in Fig. 3. Parts of this form may be readily produced in a drop-press at slight expense.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim is 1. In combination with the hit having the cheek bars or levers at its ends, the reins attached to the lower extremities of said bars,the spri ngactuated winding-drums,and the straps extending from the drums to the reins, substantially as described.

2. In combination with a bit bar, springactuated drums mounted on its ends and reins attached directly to and arranged to wind upon In testimony whereof we hereunto set our the peripheries of the drums. hands, this 11th day of April, 1887, in the IO 3. The bit-bar having its ends extended to presence of two attesting witnesses. form journals, in combination with the wind- JAMES B. W'ILLIAMS. 5 ing-drums mounted on said journals. ALBERT -G. TANNER.

4. The bit-bar having the side bars, the \Vitnesses: journals, and the shell or casing for the drum E. B. DILLINGHAM, formed integral therewith, as described. I A. S. FISKE. 

